Gay protests fuel debates on Russia’s human rights record

The crackdown of the LGBT rally in Moscow has spurred debates over the sexual minorities' rights in Russia. Source: AP

Less than a week after Russia came in for criticism on the state of human rights in the country from both Amnesty International and the U.S. Department of State, another gay rights protest was broken up in Moscow.

Approximately 40 protesters were
detained May 27 during yet another attempt to protest for LGBT rights in
Moscow, according to the Russian Ministry of the Interior. The detentions came
just three days after Amnesty International's 2011 annual report on the state
of human rights worldwide was issued, which included harsh words for Russia.
The report read in part, “freedom of assembly had been frequently violated in
the context of political, environmental, social and other protests."

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The issue of gay rights was singled out
for special attention. "LGBT rights activists continued to
face harassment and attacks. Attempted pride marches and pro-LGBT rights
pickets in Moscow and Saint Petersburg were banned and promptly dispersed by
police," the report stated.

The LGBT rights situation in Russia was also highlighted in the U.S. Department
of State's annual human rights report, issued on May 25. Among other criticism, the U.S. report included the statement that, according
to LGBT activists in Russia, "the majority of LGBT persons hide their
orientation due to fear of losing their jobs or their homes, as well as the
threat of violence."

The official commissioner of human rights in Russia, VladimirLukin, believes
however that there are few violations of LGBT rights in the country. "This issue is very complex. As Russia's human rights commissioner, I must
say that we receive few complaints regarding rights violations of sexual
minorities," Lukin said. A new city law in St. Petersburg approved at the
beginning of this year, however, questions Lukin’s statements. The law
prohibits "promoting sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transsexualism to
minors." Gay rights activists say the law could be used to crack down on
any public demonstration of homosexuals - from art to gay pride parades.

Lukin, however, does not consider the
law a violation of LGBT rights. "I do not think that the publicity of
sexual preferences is acceptable. If the Constitutional Court decides that the
law goes against the Constitution, then I would be against that law. Any
legislation gives rise to criticism, it is healthy," Lukin said.

Other problems

The Amnesty International report highlighted an increase in civil society
movements in Russia after the parliamentary elections in December 2011, noting
the importance of "civil and political freedoms" and the decrease in
the population's demand for the "stability promised by [Dmitry] Medvedev
and [Vladimir] Putin.”

Nevertheless, the organization did not consider these protests an example of
progress on human rights in Russia. According to the Amnesty International, the
decision of the authorities to allow some street rallies does not excuse
continued restrictions on freedom of assembly and the organization reports that
many Russian peace demonstrators were detained and arrested.

Likewise, while the report also notes
the increasing influence of online media and minor print media outlets which,
unlike Russian television, criticize the government, it indicates that
opposition journalists continue to face threats, which are very rarely fully
investigated by the authorities.

Another
problem reported by Amnesty International is the delay in implementation of
promised reforms. According to the report, in 2011 no progress was made in the
fight against corruption or in the continuation of modernization and the
criminal justice system reform. The report also stated: "members of
religious minorities faced persecution" and "torture remained widely
reported despite superficial police reforms", and also that "the
situation in the North Caucasus remained volatile, with serious human rights
abuses."

For his part, Lukin did not find the
report disheartening. "This is the recognized and complete report on the
state of human rights in 190 countries. [Amnesty International] is a qualified
organization and its point of view is quite objective. At least, I was
satisfied to know that out of all of the countries analyzed, only 21 have the
death penalty," Lukin said.